Marly sighed. “Look at how lovely the land is here. Do you see those trees? They don’t grow down by us, because the soil is too sandy. But here they have the nutrients they need. And those flowers . . . just gorgeous.” She touched one finger to the smooth glass of the car’s window. “I look at this and wonder how anyone could seriously think about destroying it. Why would a living being want to end this beautiful world? I don’t understand the end game.”
“Evil doesn’t always make sense, Marly.” I felt suddenly tired, as though I’d been battling this revelation for a long time. “The demon who came over initially has had fifty years to roam the earth, and apparently, he hasn’t found anything to change his mind about the plan to burn everything.” I shivered, remembering my chilling encounter with that demon back during the disastrous undercover gig. He’d made me an offer that afternoon; he’d forced me to make a choice. I thought about Emma, my fellow Carruthers agent, her body sagging, as Ben Ryan gave me the ultimatum: decide once and for all how I’d use my power, choose to join him on the dark side, or watch Emma die. It had been excruciating, but I’d known what I had to do. I’d made the right decision, and I didn’t know what had happened to Emma. She’d vanished with Ben, both of them disappearing from my view like so much mist on a warm day.
“You defeated him then. You’ll do it again.” My mother-in-law spoke in even tones with not even a flicker of doubt. “We know that this fight will mean life or death for millions, Tas. You’ll be the one to make a difference.”
“Have they figured out who the girl is? The woman who was at the commune back in 1967, who influenced Donald Parcy to perform the ritual? Cathryn said they weren’t sure who—or what—she was.” Michael had been part of all of the conversations leading up to our decision to join the fight, and he knew as much as I did about what was going on.
“I don’t know. I guess we’ll be fully briefed once we’re settled at Harper Creek.” My head was filled with the intricacy of what had happened fifty years before and what was about to begin all over again. Cathryn had sketched out a little of her plan for defeating the Hive, but we didn’t have any details. I doubted any one of us did, other than Cathryn herself.
“I want you to be sure to put me to work.” Marly had been reminding us of this for the past two days. “I don’t want to sit around, twiddling my thumbs. I want to be useful.”
“I don’t think that’s going to be an issue, Mom. There’s going to be enough to go around.” Michael shifted. “But you know, if we get there and you change your mind, you can always go back home with Dad and Lela. No one will think any less of you. Tas and I want you to be safe.”
Her face serene, she shook her head. “Nope. No way. I made up my mind, and I’m sticking with you both. You’re my family, and I love you. What happens to you, happens to me.”
“Fine.” He rolled his eyes my way. “Far be it from me to argue with the women in my life.”
“And don’t ever forget it.” I poked him in the ribs with my finger. “Hey, isn’t that the turnoff for Harper Creek? Looks like we’re there.”
Michael set his jaw, nodding. “Let’s get this party started.”
Carruthers townhouse near Harper Creek
Daeglan
“Sionnach. Are you awake?” I laid my hand on her arm gingerly, not wanting to jar her out of sleep. I had a rough idea of the fox’s powers, but even so, I realized that I wasn’t fully aware of the extent of those gifts. It was possible that she could zap me into full paralysis without meaning to, if her defense mechanism kicked in automatically.
“Mmmmmm.” She stirred and slitted one eye open at me. “Not really. What time is it?”
“Ah, not quite seven yet.” I wrapped my arm around her waist, pulling her back against me. She was naked and warm, and although I hadn’t awoken her with any lascivious intent, I was beginning to change my mind. After all, it was very early . . .
“Ugh. Holy fuck, Daeglan. We didn’t get here until nearly two this morning. I need more than five hours of sleep.” So saying, she matched her actions to her words, burrowing her red head deeper into the pillows.
I lay back, too, although my hand was still tangled in her hair. My fingers played absently with the silken strands. The room was dark and unfamiliar; it was the same bedroom in the same townhouse that I’d stayed in during my brief visit to Florida before I’d gone on to New Orleans, chasing the woman who now snuggled in my arms. But I’d hardly had time then to do more than sleep in the bed. Last night, when Sionnach and I had finally gotten to the townhouse, my brother Cillian had lifted a sleepy head from the couch where he’d apparently been waiting up for our arrival.
“So, you’re the fox.” Both his words and his face had been neutral. “Welcome to the white hats. We can do all the normal polite pleasantries in the morning—well, later in the morning, as it is—but for now, there’re three empty bedrooms upstairs. Mine’s here, off the hallway, so you’ve got your pick.”
“We’ll only be needing the one.” I’d slung my arm around Sionnach’s shoulders, pulling her into my body and ignoring her hiss of annoyance. Yeah, I was that guy staking my claim on my woman here in front of my little brother.
Cillian had rolled his eyes. “Whatever you need to do. You remember where the kitchen is, right? If you’re hungry, there’s food in the fridge and the pantry. Someone from Carruthers comes in to stock them every few days, even though it’s only me here.”
“We’re fine—” I’d begun to say, just as Sionnach spoke at the same time.
“I’d kill for a glass of wine.”
Cill had smirked. “White in the refrigerator, red on the rack. Glasses above.”
Sionnach had ducked out from under my arm, shot me a dark look and vanished through the door that led to the kitchen. I’d swallowed a sigh, watching her go. The fox just might be the death of me.
“Quite a woman there, that one.” My brother had stood up and stretched. “I’m looking forward to getting better acquainted.”
“Not too much better, I hope,” I’d glowered. “And where’s Seamus, anyway? I thought the three of us were assigned here.”
Cill had laughed. “Yeah, the three of us were, but Seamus spends his nights with the lovely Cathryn. I guess he managed to bring her around to his way of thinking while they were in Europe.”
“Never doubted it. Seamus had been waiting for that woman for a long time, and he wasn’t going to let her get away.”
“Right.” Cill had nodded. “I’m off to bed, then. Big meeting at the headquarters house in the morning—the car will be here to retrieve us by nine. Everyone’s coming in. I guess we’re going to be underway sooner rather than later.”
“That’s a good thing. I want this done and wrapped up so we can get on with the rest of our lives.” I’d rubbed my neck. “I miss home. New Orleans was beautiful and exotic, and Florida’s nice, but I keep wondering what’s happening at the pub and with the family.”
Something had flickered in Cill’s eyes. “Yeah, same here. I talked to Ma, though, and she says everything’s good and running smooth, so there’s that.” He’d slapped me on the back as he passed by. “Night, Daeglan. Glad you’re back.”
For my taciturn youngest brother, that declaration was nearly a speech. I’d thought to myself, things must be getting intense for Cillian to be so mushy and sentimental.
Sionnach and I had climbed the steps and fallen into the first bed we’d come to, nearly delirious with lack of sleep. The past days had been wild, between my pursuit of her through the French Quarter, our meeting at Hotel Paranormal and our subsequent working together to complete a mission that was very close to her heart. And then of course, the day before yesterday—had it only been that long?—we’d made a side trip up to Canada to return to its rightful owner what we’d retrieved at the Hotel. No wonder we were both exhausted.
Now, though, lying in bed with Sionnach, her breathing even and deep, I found I couldn’t fall asleep again. I envied her that ability,
to simply turn off her mind and drop into slumber. The approaching battle loomed before us, and as much as I wanted it to get underway, I dreaded the prospect, too.
“You’re thinking too hard for so early in the morning, Irish.” Her voice was rough with sleep. “If you’re going to lie there brooding, you might as well put that wood I felt against my back to good use.”
I chuckled, even as she rolled over. “I didn’t mean to disturb you, mo mhuirnín.” I brushed her hair out of her eyes, propping myself up on one elbow. “I guess the prospect of what comes next won’t let me rest.”
“And that’s why a little bit of distraction would be good for both of us.” Rolling over, she reached down to wrap her fingers around my cock, which was indeed sporting more than just morning wood. “Also, it occurred to me that God only knows when we might have privacy again. This safe house they were talking about—how big is it? Do we each get our own room, or will we be bunking in with others? I like my own space, you know.”
“Yeah, I know.” I slipped my hand down to cover her warm tit, capturing the nipple between two fingers. “Not sure what the situation will be, but with any luck, it won’t be a long-term situation. We’ll get in there, defeat the big bad and then . . .” I lifted my shoulder. “Back to life as normal.”
“I guess so.” She arched into my hand, urging me on as I caressed her breast. Her thumb circled the head of my erection, making me draw in a quick breath. There was something about her touch . . . every time, she set me on fire. We’d only known each other a week, but it felt as though I’d loved this woman forever.
I came up short, my heart stumbling in my chest. Love? That was more than I’d let myself think until now. There was too much we didn’t know about each other, too many secrets and so much history. Sionnach had assured me, during a rare vulnerable moment a few nights back, that she’d never been with the same man more than a night or two, and that I already knew more about her than anyone else in the world, aside from her foster family—that was Lou, the late púca who’d raised her, and Rosa, his wife. I sensed Sionnach was being honest about this, but it didn’t mean that she didn’t still hold her secrets close.
“After it’s over—the defeating, I mean—I want to take you back home with me, like we discussed.” I blurted out the words. “Not just to Ireland, but home, to my town. To my pub. I mean, for a time. If you want.”
“I can’t think beyond the battle.” She pressed her lips into my chest. “But if we make it, I’ll take a visit to the clan O’Casey under advisement. I’m holding you to the trip to the Motherland, though.” A smile curled her lips, and with her free hand, she moved my fingers lower, until they were between her legs. “Speaking of taking a trip . . .”
“Ah, was I not moving fast enough for you?” I rubbed her silken folds. “Maybe I can correct that.”
We lay facing each other, giving and taking pleasure, silent though our eyes never broke the gaze between us.
“Sionnach.” I breathed out her name. “Tell me what happened between you and Cathryn. What did she do?”
She grinned, her eyelids gliding shut, but she shook her head. “Not telling you now, lucky charms. Maybe later today. Or maybe she’ll tell you.” She rocked against my palm. “But now . . . now I want you inside me. Make me come hard, Daeglan. Help me forget for a little while.”
She didn’t need to ask twice. I slid my dick into her, both of us sighing as I seated myself fully. Her hips canted to reach me better, and we fell into what was already a familiar rhythm, a place only the two of us could inhabit. When we reached our mutual fulfillment, I would have sworn our hearts were beating as one.
I held her against me, stroking her russet curls with one reverent hand. “That was the perfect way to begin a day like this. But we’ll need to get up and moving soon. The car’s coming at nine to drive us to Harper Creek.”
I’d expected her to groan or roll away, but instead, Sionnach snuggled closer to me. “And so it begins.”
“It does.” I drew small circles on her back with one finger. “But think, you’ll meet Seamus. And you can get to know Cillian, now that you’re both more awake.”
“Those are both good points. But I’m also going to have to deal with all the Carruthers people and whoever else might be there. Do you know how many I should expect?”
I could feel her tension, and I tried to ease it, bending my neck to kiss the top of her head as I listed those I knew would be present. “Rafe, the mind manipulator. Nell, the witch. Veronica, the vampire. Zoe, the—”
“I know Zoe,” Sionnach interrupted. “I had the pleasure when I worked with Carruthers. She was all right, I guess.”
“Other than those, I believe there’s a guy who’s half death broker, half vampire . . . oh, and a necroloquitar.” I was proud of being able to pronounce the term.
“Ooooh, a death talker. I’ve never met one of those. Cool beans.” She let out a long breath and pushed to sit up. “All right. I’m going to play the girl card and call dibs on the shower.”
“Go right ahead.” I snagged her hand and turned it over to kiss the palm. “For the record, I never mind you playing the girl card, as I’m quite grateful that you are one.”
The expression in her eyes was unfathomable as she looked down at me. “That’s quite an advantage you just gave me there, Irish. I might use it against you.”
I linked our fingers together. “You won’t hear me complain, mo mhuirnín. In case you didn’t know it, you already have me at a disadvantage, just by batting your eyes. I’m your willing slave.”
Although I couldn’t be sure, I thought perhaps I caught a glimmer of surprise on her face before she tugged her hand away and patted me on the shoulder. “And don’t think I’m going to forget it.”
The long gray town car was waiting in front of the townhouse at nine sharp. Cillian, who had been absent until that point, emerged from his room, giving us each a brief nod.
“Good morning, fellow soldiers.” He opened the door and gestured to the world beyond. “Let’s hit the road, as they say here.”
I put my hand to Sionnach’s back, guiding her out. “Look at us, traveling in style. Beats the rental car to hell, doesn’t it, love?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know. It had its charms.” She slid onto the plush leather backseat of the limo with me close behind. Cill took the spot across from us, and the car pulled away.
“So, little brother.” The fox beamed a sunny smile that made my stomach clench with dread. “Now that we’re both wide awake and all, why don’t you tell me all the dirt on this one here?” She elbowed my side. “You know . . . first dates, girls he pined for, all the times he got in trouble. I want to hear it all.”
My brother quirked one eyebrow. “You really think I’d tell? There’s a brother code and all that.”
She nodded. “So, we’ll talk later, huh? When he’s not around.”
Cill’s lips twitched, and he glanced at me. “I like this one. She’s feisty.”
“Yeah, she’s a treat.” I pretended to glower, and then frowned for real as the car slowed. “Hey, what’s this? Are we making another stop?”
Cillian glanced out the window. “Apparently so. This is Rafe and Nell’s place.”
The car door opened, and the couple themselves joined us. As Rafe settled himself on the other side of Sionnach, I felt her surge of interest and my own corresponding flare of jealousy. Nell, who had taken the seat next to Cillian, made a noise of amusement and shook her head. I assumed she was used to the typical female response to her boyfriend, whom, apparently, some women found attractive.
“Hey, look who’s back!” Rafe leaned over Sionnach to slap my knee. “Glad you made it, and congrats on a job well done.” His attention shifted to the woman between us. “And you must be the job.”
Sionnach’s interest froze, and I snickered. Rafe himself pretended not to notice as he offered a hand to the fox.
“I’m Rafe Brooks. I’m very glad to meet you. Spent a lot
of time over the last weeks following your trail electronically, trying to help out Daeglan here.”
“Perhaps I need to be more careful about covering my tracks.” Ice dripped from her words.
“Nah.” Rafe chuckled. “You weren’t that easy to find. I just happen to have all the resources Carruthers could provide, which meant there were precogs predicting your moves and informants telling us when they’d seen you.” He shrugged. “We used what we had. Cathryn was determined that you would join us.”
Sionnach snorted. “Oh, I’m sure.”
“What went down between the two of you?” Rafe had the same curiosity I did. “Was it over a guy? Did you both fall for the same man?”
“Rafe, mind your own damn business.” Nell’s voice was mild, even though her words were sharp. She glanced at Sionnach. “I’m Nell. Good to meet you. Thanks for being here.”
“You’re the witch.” Her voice held awe, and I couldn’t blame her. There was no denying that Nell Massler shimmered with power.
“The most powerful one you’ll ever meet.” Rafe didn’t try to disguise his pride in Nell.
She frowned. “I don’t know about that. I may not even be the most powerful witch in the state right now.” She stared out the window as the limo made the turn into Harper Creek. “And possibly not even the most powerful one in a two-block radius right now. Tasmyn’s here. I feel her.”
Apparently, there was some kind of history here that I didn’t understand. Rafe moved to sit next to Nell, threading their fingers together. She glanced up at him, and what passed between the two was strong, even in the silence.
The car came to a stop before the huge mansion that was headquarters for Carruthers. Before the driver could make his way to the back, Cillian opened the door and stepped out. We all trailed after him and into the house.
Age of Aquarius Page 9
